What is it About Weddings...and Babies?

Okay. Have you ever watched the movie The Mirror has Two Faces with Barbara Streisand? It's really a wonderful watch, and it has many corollaries to real life. There's this scene where she's describing her sister's wedding to her class (she's a literary professor) and I thought of this scene yesterday at my nieces wedding.

I had no part in it -- so unlike Streisand I couldn't say I was part of the stereotypes. But in watching the proceedings, I realized a book could have been written about this point in time. It wouldn't be a happy one, because in some eyes, there wasn't a happy ending. It's one of those, did she make the right choice? moments.

I watched my niece, who didn't look happy through the whole ceremony, and didn't really seem awake as she greeted us afterward, and wondered if she was on drugs. She didn't show any animation or happiness until after we were eating and things mellowed a little. My husband pointed out that perhaps it was nerves and she's pregnant, (yes, there is that) and stuff.

It could also be the knowledge that she'd shut her mother out of the proceedings and only allowed her to participate. Yeah.

I quoted an old phrase in my other blog a week or so ago... You can pick your friends but you can't pick your family. Boy oh boy.

Well...the wedding and it's initial drama is over. I guess we'll see how things go.



Did I mention I'm going to be a grandma before the end of the year?? That's right...the son that got married (which I hadn't mentioned before either...long story) told us last week that his wife is expecting.

Not only that, but my un-married daughter is also expecting. They are due within days of each other.

This should be a real interesting year...

The Art of Thanksgiving

Have you ever thought about why we celebrate this day, once a year? I know we've all been taught it was about the Pilgrims and the Indians, and how they made it through the summer and had a good harvest, etc.

This is all good, and we should remember those who came before, but I'm thinking now. Today. Traditions.

In the world we live in, we have so much to be thankful for. We have much, so very much more than many of those in the world. We have food, shelter, clothing, employment, freedom of speech, transportation of our own, families, etc. The list is endless.

I've been out of the country only a few times, and it's always been to Mexico or the Caribbean. To see how people live on less than $100 a week, in small apartments or shacks, struggling to put food on their tables every day, working at jobs most American's would rather not do -- it's amazing. It's very humbling, and it made me appreciate where I live even more.

At this special time, I want to share my Thanks with you. I came from a poor background; my parents both died when I was young and I spent most of my youth in foster homes. These homes were good, (wonderful by some stories I've heard) and I eventually found the parents that I call Mom and Dad.

The mainstay in my life the whole time was the knowledge of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Through all my trials and hardships, through all my joys and happiness, He has been there.

It's because of His many blessings that I can enjoy the life I now have. I have a wonderful loving husband, several happy and loving children, a home, a job, and many, many extended family members who love me.

If I were to pass away tomorrow, I would be a happy woman in the knowledge that while I wasn't perfect, I had made progress.

One of the things that has stood out to me in my transition from one home to another, was the traditions we create in our homes. One of those days full of traditions is Thanksgiving. I'm sure many of you have them -- who cuts the turkey, who cooks the turkey, who makes the best pies, etc.

Thanksgiving is a special time for me. I treasure the whole day with family, and the day is ripe with tradition. Each member has a special place in my heart for the joy they have brought. In the morning we go shooting -- which may sound strange, but having several gun enthusiasts in the family and a brother who is now retired law enforcement -- they like to shoot clay pigeons. I think it's a male bonding thing, but there are some girls that come too. The wives rarely come, which I find interesting.

I always go. I like spending time watching my brother and my husband interact with our children and their cousins and uncles. The married nephews and nieces in-laws have adopted the tradition with us and many of them join in the fun -- one of them even bringing their automated thrower. Everyone loves that, let me tell you.

Then we go home, clean up and head over to my sisters for dinner (when it's our year -- this year it's my husbands family, so we won't be going) and there will be a feast to both the eyes and the stomach. Children pretty much behave themselves, no one breaks anything, everyone helps clean up afterward, and we hang out until we're so full we can't possibly move anymore or until it's time to head home.

My children look forward to it every year.

We try to instill in them the idea of thankfulness, but I'm never really sure how much it sinks in. This year I think we're gonna talk about it the day before when we have our waffle dinner. (Which is another tradition.) Somehow several years ago, we decided we needed something simple the night before. My husband made waffles, and it has stuck. The children know they can count on them the night before Thanksgiving. We gather as a family unit and share our excitement, joy and love for each other.

I hope you have many rich traditions in your house. I hope you are teaching your children wonderful traditions that will live through their lives and bring joy to them and their children.

Hopefully it will be a tradition of love for the Savior and His gifts...as well as all the many blessings we enjoy in this free land.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

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Readying For The Season

One of the things I love about those big fancy home magazines is the large glossy photos of their homes. Don't you just see your kitchen in one of them? Wouldn't you love to have the covered chairs with matching ribbons, clean linen table cloth with matching napkins and matching silverware, fancy goblets and candles glowing softly in the romantic setting? (romance isn't only about love...)

And then reality hits. You lower the magazine to see your own table with it's plastic cover (so the wood doesn't get ruined by multiple spills), unmatched chairs, plastic plates and glasses, mis-matched flatware and worn tablecloth that has seen two generations and was handed down by mom.

You sigh.

You look at the photo and then back at your table, and then at the children happily running through the house, innocently unaware that they are the object of your thoughts.

Which would you rather have -- happy children who don't have to worry about spoiling the table, or a perfect home? Well, long ago, I finally discovered that the children were more important, but I did manage to hang onto some of my nice things.

While it's important that children know they are more precious than gold -- sometimes they need to experience what it means to take care of fine things. To enjoy them and take care of them.

We have found that children learn to take care of things through practice and example. We are fond of china and crystal in my family when it comes to Thanksgiving. My mother always put out the best, and when there were younger children, they had their own tables, usually without the china and crystal, but still with nicer plates and glasses.

Now that I'm married and go to two different Thanksgiving celebrations (we trade years like everyone else...grin) I find it interesting how different the two families celebrate things. My in-laws use paper plates, plastic ware and paper cups. We have nice table clothes, usually, but paper napkins and such. Clean up is usually pretty easy, and their focus is on family time and games. She doesn't really do a lot of decorating for Thanksgiving, and her Christmas decorations aren't usually out yet.

My family does the whole bit -- linen table clothes, napkins, (usually folded in intricate designs by my sister who loves to do such things) Crystal, real silver and nice serving dishes. It's still served buffet style, as my in-law's do, but we are much more aware of the day, we are all dressed nice, and it seems more special somehow.

It also takes more work. We usually set up things the night before, and my sister takes the nieces and nephews to help set and learn the art of fine dining. (Sometimes reluctantly...) Clean up usually takes a joint effort, but it doesn't take long with everyone washing and drying and helping clean up. We all feel it's worth it. Then we sit and gab, and usually desert is on paper plates...it all depends on the consensus.

My sisters house where we hold dinner, is very large and was built with the idea of entertaining family during the holidays and for family gatherings. She designed her kitchen with that in mind, and it really makes it nice. She usually has her Christmas decorations up as well, which really adds to the mood.

What I'm trying to get at with these two comparisons, is that sometimes decorating and preparation make a meal a special thing. Using fine china and crystal is something that everyone should experience if they can, and I think it lends a feeling of civilization to the event. I'm sure there are lots of families that figure Thanksgiving is all about bowl games and how much you can eat--but I like to think it's more than that, and we try to have our children experience it. I notice that our children act differently when at my sister's home compared to my in-law's. They act more refined, aren't as likely to run crazily through the house, and readily say please and thank you.

While they still say please and thank you at grandma's, it's usually in a teasing way, and they jostle each other in line, laugh more loudly, and generally act more casual. I'm sure there are pro's and con's to both sides, but for now, I'm encouraging the more formal of the two.

Our family feels it's an occasion to share time, memories and the finer things of life. It revolves around the meal, but that is just an excuse. We love to gather together and spend time together. Thanksgiving is the one time that everyone who can, comes for dinner -- even the older nieces and nephews that normally are too busy.



If you don't have family to visit during this time of year, maybe they live too far away for finances, or you don't have anyone living, it leaves it to you to make your holiday a special one. If you have small children, this is doubly hard, since they don't really understand the reason and feelings.

It takes time. It will come, they will grow, and you can establish traditions now that bring joy and stability in the years to come. We may not all have the ultra fancy dining rooms with covered chairs and crystal, but we can have nice things that show pride and caring about how we live and what we love.

That is the art of living at home.

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Relaxing is an Art

Sometimes when we enter this time of year, we find stress. It's a friend that many of us know well. However, it doesn't have to be.

I think November is a great time to sit back and take stock of our blessings. Thanksgiving is a week away, and all of us have many things to be thankful for. Many of us have family, friends, a home to keep us dry and warm, and employment to help us provide for ourselves.

We have food in abundance available and if we are fortunate, we have health and strength. There is the wonderful freedoms we experience living in one of the best countries on the planet -- even if you don't live in the US or Canada -- I'll bet you are thankful for your homeland.

There was a book written several years ago that my mom gave me. It was a book about gratitude. In the book she suggested that you keep a gratitude journal and write down five things each day that you are grateful for.

I did it faithfully for awhile, and then discovered that I would rather enumerate my thankfulness to Heavenly Father in prayer than write them down each night. Writing them down seemed monotonous and repetitive, as if I weren't finding anything new in each day. It became a burden, when it was supposed to be helping me find peace.

I agree that writing in a journal is important and we should list our blessings each day -- but sometimes when life seems stressed, it's time to take a breath and relax.

Find a quiet place, grab a notebook, a piece of chocolate (or 2), a cup of chocolate or herbal tea, and give yourself a half hour. If a half hour is too long, take fifteen minutes -- but you need the time. You've heard the Peter Pan Mantra -- Find your happy place? This is the time to do it.

Sit and close your eyes and think about your life. What are you thankful for? The way your hubby fixed the squeaky chair for you? Or how he prepared dinner the other night to give you a break? How about your children...what have they done that bring blessings into your life?

There is so much to be thankful for. Just a few moments of thinking about it, and you'll be able to list them out on the paper. Just keep going. Think of as many as possible and see how full you can get the paper.

You might be surprised what you come up with.

The Beauty of Tradition

In Relief Society a couple of weeks ago we had a lesson on traditions. It was titled, Righteous Traditions. Many of us think of traditions as those things we do as a big family thing -- Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, reunions, etc. The lesson pointed out that there are other traditions that are much more important; family prayer, family scripture study, Family Home Evening, etc. It was an enlightening lesson, and I appreciated it's value.

Today, because of the date (Canadian Thanksgiving, if you don't know), I'm reminded of the regular family traditions. Have you ever thought of the art and beauty involved? Sometimes that could be taken sarcastically if your family is one that doesn't get along, so it's an act of chaos control to keep everyone from killing each other before the day is over.

But if your family is made richer by the regular traditions that help keep the family ties strong. I came from a multi family youth. I don't really remember anything deeply traditional about any of the families I lived with other than celebrating Christmas. How each Christmas was celebrated was different, so there were no real traditions in my mind.

When I moved in with those who I call Mom and Dad, I discovered they had many traditions. By the time I went on my mission, I came to count on those traditions as a way of knowing where they were and what they were doing. I felt like I was back home for just a moment, and felt their love close. I remember having a conversation with my brother when I called home, and listing off all the things they were doing. He was totally surprised that I would remember what he thought were trivial things.

To me it was beauty and art. The beauty of family and the rich ties that bind through hard times and good.

We are entering the season of family activity. We have traditions that start with Halloween and go through the week of Christmas. Traditions that include decorating our home, remembering those who live outside of the state, and joining together with extended family.

They are times I treasure and look forward to every year. To a girl that grew up without traditions and such love in her youth, these times are like mana from Heaven.

Today we celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. It became a tradition because my husband served a mission in Toronto, Ontario Canada. He feels he is an adopted Canadian, and so I've tried to honor that feeling by holding a small Thanksgiving dinner on that day every year. We have tradition of using china, crystal, quality silverware and cloth napkins on Thanksgiving day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner. These items are indications that we are recognizing the day as being different -- special.

When I went to Hawaii last year, the family was getting ready to cook a turkey, even though I was gone. They didn't have much with it, apparently -- I have girls who will only cook if forced...lol -- but they knew it was important to keep up with tradition.

Kind of reminds me of the movie Everafter where the little girl tells her new stepmother that they need to wait -- "It's tradition!"

As we start to decorate our homes in celebration of fall, the gorgeous colors the world shows for it's farewell to summer and the wonderful family gatherings ahead -- you might ponder what traditions you have as a family. Are they good traditions that bring everyone joy? Do they enrich your lives? Do they draw you closer together?

I wish everyone a wonderful Canadian Thanksgiving! I need to go put the turkey in the oven...

Age Makes Everything Beautiful

In the days leading to my birthday, I've realized that I view things quite differently now than I did in my youth. In some ways, I am more critical and harder to please with what I consider art or pleasing to the eye. In some ways I find I like things simple and easy...unfortunately the two do not always coincide.

If you ask a child what they think is pretty, they'll tell you the new bike they got, the new doll with the shinny hair, the party dress from grandma, the cool skateboard for a birthday -- things that are not necessarily what older children would list. Some of the even smaller children might mention butterflies, birds, flowers or a rainbow.



As I've mentioned before, what is beauty and art to one, is not always the same to someone else. This is the same with age.

When we're young, we think nothing of time as it goes by. Usually we're agonizing over how slowly it seems to move -- especially when we're waiting for Christmas or a birthday. As we grow older, it takes forever for a date night to come, or a boyfriend to come back from a mission. After we've gotten married, suddenly time seems to speed up. When you have children, it starts to go even faster.

All the days till Christmas are suddenly less than ever before when there are presents for those darlings. As they age, the hour hand seems to speed up even more, until suddenly you find yourself at their high school graduation, mission farewell, or (gasp) wedding. Where did the time go?



Things come to take on a whole different meaning. 'Things' no longer seem as important as they were -- and are not seen in the same light. What was beauty at 16, is generally not what is considered so at 26 or 30. Definitely a different thought when in the 50's.

Moments in time become art.

Brief stints of time spent with a loved one, a grandchild just born or learning to walk; a dear friend who has been gone a while, out in nature with the birds and flowers -- in the Temple of the Lord with the spirit present. Those are the things we begin to see as beauty and art in the world around us. We come to treasure them far more than earthly things that will fade away and not go with us when we leave.

While there are still 'things' that I treasure; a teapot from China (a gift from my sister), a painted china plate (painted by my husbands favorite grandmother), a wooden 'MOM' done by my son in first/second grade, my wedding ring -- none of them stand up to the treasure of my family.



I am so very blessed.



All the world is a gift of beauty and life. It just depends on the view of those seeing it. What is your view?

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Count The Blessings...

Have you thought of what this earth would be like if Satan had won? He had promised that we'd never have pain, never be hurt and would all come back to Heavenly Father...

In thinking about that today, (I had loads of time to think, I was working at the cannery, and you know it's not a real brain job...grin) I realized this is one of the reasons we have The Arts.

The Plan of Happiness, is just that -- an eternal plan for our happiness.

Just think if we didn't have the arts in our lives -- there would be no music, theater, no real color, no upliftment. (I'm not sure if that's a word...) The many gifts and talents we have been given as children of our Heavenly Father enrich our lives.

I was thinking of this because I remembered my daughter saying how she didn't like to be like anyone else, she liked to be different -- unique. What is kind of funny about that statement, is that it's usually because they want to look just like their friends...Gangs are another example of this -- they are different, but all the members have to look very similar, have similar clothes, tattoos, etc.

Satan likes to make us think that we have be like others to fit in. That our outward expressions must be like everyone elses, and we have to do certain things to be happy.

Heavenly Father and The Savior have taught us that we are each special in our own way. We are each different, and we each have our own talents and challenges.

I find the idea that we each have our own talents a wonderful thing. Just think if everyone only painted in watercolor, or just in oils, or perhaps only did pen and ink? The world would be soooo limited.

I believe part of the reason we have these wonderful gifts and talents, is to bring us joy. Think about colors for a moment...does the color black make you happy? Bring a smile to your face? Not likely... But how about the color yellow? or a poppy orange? Cheer, brighten and uplift -- that is the purpose of the arts in our lives.

What amazed me is that even when they were first building up this valley, the pioneers made time for music, plays, entertainment, dances. They knew that such things brought enrichment to their lives. They knew that to be without them, life would not be rich -- we would simply be existing.

To simply exist is what Satan wanted. We would come to earth, get our bodies, exist through this trial of time, and then we'd die and go back to Heaven. There was nothing about enrichment, growth and knowledge.

What we are given instead, is a wonderful time of joy, enlightenment, enrichment with family and friends, exploration of senses, places and amazement at the planet he gifted us with. Truly He has given us such wonderful things in this life to enjoy and bring us happiness!

It's hard to realize that this life we live is only a blink in the eternities. When we die and go back home, all will be clear, and we'll realize that everything that seemed important here, is nothing. The only things we will be able to take with us are those thoughts, emotions, memories that we created while here. (Along with family!)

So I urge you to find joy. Find happiness in the world around you. Find it in the arts...whether it be music, painting, theater, movies, who knows...the list is endless and available. We've talked about museums, festivals, the fairs that are going on and coming up. There is food all around us -- it's up to us to partake and find joy.

I wish color, happiness and joy for all of you.

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Beauty of the Night

For the weekend of the 4th, my family went camping with a couple of my hubbies siblings and their families. We went to Stillwater, UT, which is a part of the Wasatch - Cache National Forest. It was gorgeous. I haven't been camping in a long time (it's not one of my favorite pastimes -- I like a real bed and running water, thank you) and so it was a good outing for us. We had to leave one daughter behind, as she works fast food, and no one gets the 4th off...grin.

The camp site was nice and roomy, there were lots of tables, and even a fire pit so we could have a fire. It was also at least 10 degrees cooler than home, so I was very happy. Nighttime was even better, it was cold enough to snuggle under the sleeping bag, and once we got past the first night and figured out which way to put the stupid sleeping bag so we were both covered, the second night was bliss. (As long as you ignored the dang bird that woke us up every morning at 5:30 shrieking at the top of it's lungs, the loud river going by less than a mile from us, and the early birds of our own campsite -- and did I mention the mosquitoes? UGH This photo is from Yellowstone and Old Faithful.)

Almost as fun as Yellowstone. The fun we had at Yellowstone though, was the Prairie Dogs -- but that's worth another blog on it's own.

What I found most amazing, however, was the night sky. I've been in the mountains camping before and seen stars, but this was the most outstanding sky I can recall ever seeing. Unfortunately, I didn't have a good enough camera to take pictures of it, so you'll have to see the ones I got off the NASA Picture of the Day website (which are amazing, you should check it out).

The only thing that compared, was when I was flying home from Hawaii last fall. It was a red eye flight so it was the middle of the night. I opened my window shade and the sky was full of stars. It felt like we were in the middle of them and it seemed surreal. I'll never forget that experience. It was the closest I'd ever been to them, and it really felt like you could reach out and touch them.

The sky we saw while camping this time though, was just more of an overload. It was as if someone had dumped all of the stars out of a bag and scattered them through the sky. There were so many constellations that I couldn't tell them apart (though, how people get some of the shapes out of things, I have NO idea -- just looks like a bunch of bright dots most of the time to me). I could have laid on my back and gazed at the sky until my eyes closed -- it was better than anything I could imagine.

I was amazed by the creative power of our Lord. The beauty He has given us, both on earth and in the heavens. Nothing is left to chance, nothing is plain -- all that we see was created by a loving and powerful hand to help us grow, learn and enjoy.

Two years ago I was fortunate enough to go on a cruise to Alaska. Previous to this outing, I would have thought Alaska boring. Green along the coast, perhaps, but cold, barren and uninviting. I wondered why anyone lived there (and we have two families in our ward that were raised there)and what attraction it could possibly have.



What an eye opener this trip was. Alaska was gorgeous! The small towns along the coast were quaint and rustic, exactly what one would expect from gold rush eras. It was mild weather, and much of what we saw was VERY green. I was totally floored. Let alone the flowers! I was captivated and took tons of photos of the flowers.

What I didn't get to see was the night sky. I had sooo hoped we would get a glimpse of the Auroras Borialis. But that didn't happen, since it didn't get dark until well past 10 pm, and we never stayed up late enough.

This past weekend reminded me of the various times in my life when I've seen the stars and been awed. I wanted to share that, and suggest that if you haven't had a chance to see the stars lately, perhaps you could take a late night drive up the mountains or away from town and get a real good look. There's nothing like the Lord's handiwork in full glow.



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The Colors of Freedom Don't Run

I thought I would continue my thoughts on patriotism and our flag. I started with the idea that we've heard different versions of what the red, white and blue stand for. I think everyone has heard the red is for the blood, etc. Well, in looking it up, I discovered that the initial founding fathers really had no reason for their choice. It came later on -- but they discussed the colors in the seal.

"Their significance was explained by Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, and included in the book "Our Flag," published in 1989: White represents purity and innocence; red represents hardiness and valor; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice." They also had this:
"Also this from a book about the flag published in 1977 by the House of Representatives...
"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

I thought that was cool. Once more sign that our forefathers revered God and strived for his guidance in their lives.

It kink of makes me laugh though -- I guess the seal had more importance than the flag in the beginning. I had figured the colors came from the flag of Britain, since it had the same colors in it and they probably wanted something to start with. Who knows. I think it's amazing, our flag, and it doesn't really matter why or how the original flag was designed. It's ours now, and it's here to stay.

What I did want to know, was how they created those colors. I am an artist, we discus art and the like here, so that's something we would want to know. (sounds like inquiring minds, right?) That's a little trickier to find out.

Back in the 1700's, colors were all done naturally. Blue or Indigo, was made from a plant -- it was most common for the new blue jeans. Red was made from a bug out of Mexico. Isn't that a lovely thought? Ugh. At least they didn't need to dye things white -- I guess. Strange thought.

When thinking about our flag, and the freedoms it represents, it always reminds me of Moroni and the title of Liberty.

I feel like our country is very much like that right now. The government is very corrupt, despite the good men working there, and the media distorts good to bad, and makes bad look good. It's enough to make a grown man run for the hills.

Instead, our men are taking up standards and proving what we are made of. I was impressed with a talk by Glenn Beck that he gave at the Marriott Center this past week. He told them that they were the future of America. I don't think anyone seems to remember or realize that. Sure, we have the leaders in government now, but they are all going to retire or die within the next 10 to 20 years. Who is going to take over for them?? The youth and young men and women of today.

But I got sidetracked. (again)

The flag is much like what I've been talking about with art the past couple of weeks. It is something so much more than what it seems...it resonates within us, it's beauty is much more than the simple colors -- it is all about representation. The flag represents freedoms and rights and that is why so many are drawn to it.

There is another blog on the ldsneighborhood that is similar to mine this week. I recommend all who read mine, go check her's out. Muriel Sluyter has pretty much the same take on our country as I do. Her blog talks about choices. I think all of us are making choices everyday. I just think some of us make better choices than others.

Choices that liven up our colors and lives, bringing joy to those around us. Celebrate this month of patriotism with your family -- there's nothing better you can teach your children than the colors in their hearts.

Kind of like this family in Bountiful...what an example to their neighborhood and children. What are your traditions for your family? It's never too late to start.

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Just when you thought it couldn't get worse...

Have you ever had a child (one in the midst of a trial so terrible they think there isn't anything worse) ask how could it get any worse?

We had that experience over the weekend. This child has made choices that has put them in the middle of a nightmare. There are many things that could be worse, but then again -- they could be lots better...

Then Sunday this same child called and decided to come clean...tell me all the things they had been trying to hide that they did wrong because they didn't feel good about lying about it anymore. Greeaaattt.... That makes me feel SO much better. NOT.

It's one of those moments where you know that they were probably mixed up in stuff that was going on, but were hoping with a mother's hope that they were smarter than that. Sigh. My hubby had suspected all along. My other children (the older ones) had suspected as well...but I had held onto the hope that my child wouldn't do something like that. The one that had lambasted the nonmember uncle when age 12 for smoking and didn't he know how terrible it was for you...yeah -- that one. (And no, this isn't just about smoking...;) )

I felt so naive, so -- stupid -- to have not seen it coming. My hubby told me that my hope was what made it bearable for him to try and have hope. While that was sweet of him, I still felt as if my feet had been knocked out from under me.

Yesterday I ended up pretty much doing nothing all day. My poor hubby didn't have that option, and tried studying his night school stuff while waiting to see if anyone needed him at a training meeting he was assigned to help. By the time dinner rolled around I was able to focus a little, and today is much better. I'm feeling a little back to normal, but I wonder if things will ever be the same. Our family will never be the same -- this will always be something in the back of our minds.

I think we need to go swimming and try and forget for a while. We just have to remember the sun block since a couple of them are still recovering from sun burns at the Young Adult trip last week. (Bear Lake is soooo known for that)

At least my wedding anniversary is tomorrow...a bright spot in the week.

Hey - That's My Bedspread!

Our Relief Society met Wednesday and held a mix between a quilting bee and a bag sewing party. One of the women in the ward wanted to learn how to make a quilt for her daughter, so we decided to set one up and put it together so that it could be done quickly.

We have several women in the ward who quilt -- some with more dedication than others. One of whom brought her daughter's quilts for decoration and example; one's they had made together as projects over the past couple of years. The daughter graduated this year, and now has three quilts to her credit. They were gorgeous, and I told the lady next to me (who was a neighbor as I graduated high school) that it wasn't fair.

When I was in young women's, our ward used to make a quilt for every young woman that got married. By the time I got married, they had discontinued that practice and I was sooo disappointed. We had made each other tied quilts instead, and I still have that blanket, though it's starting to come apart.

Mom Bean was really into quilt blocks. She made a gorgeous Christmas Tree skirt of blocks that had the folded strips sewn together. I'm afraid I don't have that kind of patience.

In 2006 my best friend entered the State Fair Quilt Challenge. This contest has specific fabric/theme and is a wall quilt. The quilt is not only appliquéd, but hand sewn and machine sewn as well. It's amazing what they come up with, its so much fun! You can see that she won a ribbon for her efforts.

Personally, I am amazed with all the different styles and work that make up quilting. I would definitely call it an art form. Many quilts are hung on walls now as decorations, and it reminds me of the great tapestries of the past.

My mother made a crazy quilt that I was able to hang onto for a while -- but it disappeared when I moved from California. I bemoan it's loss, because I didn't have many things that were made by my mother, and now it's gone. I found a photo that was very similar to what she did. However, instead of the light stitching, she had used black thread, so it really stood out against all the different fabrics.

I guess part of quilting is a skill that's been handed down from one generation to the next -- partly as a necessity and partly out of the need for creativity. I'm just thankful to have been taught the basics, and to have lots of people around who are masters at the craft. They are amazing, and my hat's off to them.

Now if I could just convince one of them to make me a new one for my bed...

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